Modelling the host-pathogen interactions of macrophages and Candida albicans using Game Theory and dynamic optimization.

ABSTRACT: The release of fungal cells following macrophage phagocytosis, called non-lytic expulsion, is reported for several fungal pathogens. On one hand, non-lytic expulsion may benefit the fungus in escaping the microbicidal environment of the phagosome. On the other hand, the macrophage could profit in terms of avoiding its own lysis and being able to undergo proliferation. To analyse the causes of non-lytic expulsion and the relevance of macrophage proliferation in the macrophage-Candida albicans interaction, we employ Evolutionary Game Theory and dynamic optimization in a sequential manner. We establish a game-theoretical model describing the different strategies of the two players after phagocytosis. Depending on the parameter values, we find four different Nash equilibria and determine the i

SUBMITTER: Duhring S 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC5550964 | biostudies-literature | 2017 Jul

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature